ON THE EVENING OF MONDAY, APRIL 8, THE DSN BEACH CLUB PLAYED HOST TO A DEEPLY MOVING AND INSPIRATIONAL OCCASION, MARKING THE EXTRAORDINARY RESCUE OF FORMER HOSTAGE LUIS HAR AND HIS FAMILY. THE EVENT, FILLED WITH PALPABLE ENERGY AND UNITY, STOOD AS A TESTAMENT TO THE UNWAVERING SUPPORT AND RESILIENCE OF THE JERSEY SHORE COMMUNITY AND THE JEWISH NATION.
The journey to this celebratory moment traces back to October 7, a date that reshaped the world stage for Jews around the globe. In response to the challenges faced by Israel and its people, DSN swiftly activated Israel programming, channeling efforts into fundraising, raising awareness, and providing aid to various affected groups, including the IDF, families of hostages, survivors of the NOVA Festival, as well as impacted artists and businesses.
In November, DSN and the Jersey community had the privilege of hosting two daughters of hostage Luis Har, Rinat and Natalie, who left their families in Israel to visit America to share their heartfelt stories. They were brought to see Rabbi Edmund Nahum, who blessed them that Hashem should bring Luis back safely. With his inspiration and encouragement, they would hope and pray during the following weeks and months. The sisters had explained that Luis was more than just a hostage; he was the beloved grandfather, the Saba of the kibbutz, renowned for making pizza for everyone. Moved by their story, DSN made a promise: if Luis were to ever be released, DSN would honor him with a siyum Hoda’ah and pizza party at the Beach Club.
The promise became reality in April, as DSN fulfilled its pledge with a gathering brimming with love and gratitude. The evening was filled with heartfelt performances and speeches. The atmosphere was adorned with Israeli flags, a symbol of solidarity and support. Irving Kairey’s rendition of Hatikvah began the evening, eliciting stirred emotions, while Rabbi Edmond Nahum and Rabbi Joey Haber shared stories of resilience and faith. Then, the guest of honor, Luis Har, took the stage, his spirit undiminished by his ordeal. Moved by the outpouring of support from several hundred attendees, whom he regarded as family, Luis expressed his gratitude. He explained his months of captivity starting from how he was taken captive on October 7th and forced to walk for hours through Gaza’s deep tunnels. The crowd was mesmerized by every word. A poignant moment came with the screening of a video depicting the soldiers who rescued Luis, capturing the emotional weight of his journey to freedom. Witnessing Luis embraced by his daughters in the audience was a testament to the power of hope and the resilience of the human spirit.
Rabbi David Tawil and Rabbi Joey Dana led the prayers for the State of Israel and for the soldiers of the IDF. Rabbi Tawil remarked, “Seeing the Har sisters in their time of pain was unbearable, but helping them carry that weight during their time of despair, no doubt, prepared us for the light of joy destined to arrive. This is the power of supporting the weight of another’s sorrows.
Community member Honey Dayan was overwhelmed by the evening. She said, “This was a night we will never forget. We all felt like one big family coming together.”
As the evening drew to a close, the DSN community stood unified in strength and embrace, reaffirming the timeless motto: Am Israel Chai – the people of Israel live on. Yet, their prayers extend beyond their own, as they hope for the safe return of all hostages, echoing the sentiment that guided them through adversity: unity, faith, and unwavering support.
DSN President Lee Zekaria was moved. “Our community witnessed a walking miracle tonight — someone saved against all odds from captivity by Hashem. It was a very emotional and special experience.”
DSN Executive Board Member Victoria Sutton put the event into perspective. “The night was a culmination of the journey that started in November with the Har family and the DSN community. Like Rabbi Nahum described, we witnessed a miracle above nature. As we continue to pray for Israel and the remaining hostages, like Rabbi Joey Haber said, a night like this one gives us hope. With Hashem’s help, we pray to do the same for all the hostages. The Har family, as Luis’s son-in-law Edan said, will forever be part of the Deal and DSN family.”
